Here I sit, sipping apple cider and eating a Turtles chocolate (just delivered to me by my hard working hubby) and reflecting on all that we've done in the last week. It's amazing to me how many people God has put in our lives in such a short time to enjoy this season with. It's no wonder that Kara typically wakes up asking where we are going and who we are having for lunch as we are often out and about or eating meals with friends who are becoming more like family. All the same it's also amazing to me how often both Kara and Emily talk about our old house, our family back home, and our big church. It's funny how somethings are just so locked in their positive memories that no matter how many experiences you provide as a distraction, they still are thinking about all their loved ones that live "so so soooooo far away, over the mountain". So, the count down is on with just over a week until we leave for Ontario. So far, the weeks are just flying with appointments, play dates, and advent adventures with friends. Here is the highlights from this past week.
Dec 13:
Breakaway continued one last week! (All the other groups stopped two weeks ago but our small little breakout just can't seem to get enough of eachother). I have really really loved this time of learning about and from this group of women ranging in age from 27-60.
Today was also the first day that I could feel my patience being brutally tested as Emily had to be removed from Walmart for a temper tantrum that left one onlooker rolling her eyes and muttering at me. It was humiliating and humbling to have to beg God for patience as I returned to the car to discipline my screaming child. Thankfully, the rest of the day was quite enjoyable, complete with a long story time followed by tea with the girls and then an afternoon of rest and cooperative play (a real joy to my soul to see Kara and Emily playing without needing a referee).
Dec 14:
A much overdue play date with Shay and Molly featuring a morning walk to Tim's for a snack. Our plan to walk to motley crew to Molly's school and back was squashed by Emily sitting in a puddle to which she was not impressed. So, we drove Molly to preschool and I had met the admin staff at the preschool where Kara will likely be starting in the fall. It's crazy to think we are already at that point but she is so ready. It was hard to pull her away from the classroom as she begged me for "a school day".
That afternoon I dove into the book I had started reading (by request of Kevin Sinke) "Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborn. A few chapters in and I'm intrigued and my mind is racing a mile a minute. I'll have to blog on this book when I'm done.
That night Shay and Molly joined us for dinner and tea, then the girls were in bed early.
Kara woke up at 1am and wouldn't go back to sleep until close to 3. After an hour of struggling to convince her to try to sleep we just went downstairs and wrapped gifts and had popcorn. Kara was insanely funny and I captured part of our conversation on video.
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| Three little cuties stalling for bedtime. |
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| Tea after dinner with Molly. |
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| Praise God, an afternoon of reading while my girls played together peacefully! |
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| Emily's been interesting in potty training again! |
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| And this is her new "growl face". Pretty funny but not terribly cute...lol. |
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| Kara at 2am pointing to all the gifts she helped buy and wrap and remarkably let me give away! |
Dec 15:
Doctor's Appointment meeting our new family doc.
Dropped the presents off for the Education Center.
Play date with my new friend and her son along with 8 other kids and mommies that we've been getting to know for awhile ago. It was a remarkably peaceful play date with 4 other mom's that all had kids between the ages of 2-3.
Dinner with Daddy and then off to find the best lights in town with Rolanda and Janelle.
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| Kara, Maggie and Emma (these 3 and several other make up a very busy 3 year old class at church). |
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| One of the crazy houses in Chilliwack near our house. |
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| Kara- "Momma it's Micky and Dora, I love them!" |
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| Emily- "wesus loves me! I see him!" |
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| Noah's Ark was a hit. |
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| This amazing property had a walk through path, a community services collection box that was decorated like a church complete with Ken Barbie preaching to a room full of stuffed animals. Super fun for the girls! |
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| Love the scripture on the little church. | | | | | |
Dec 16:
Weekly prayer with Sarah, so uplifting as usual. Little did I know I would need it so badly as I had some grumpy girls in the morning!
Skye and Charis joined us to tour the gingerbread houses at a fundraiser put on by Sutton Realty.
Lunch with the Farr's and Daddy who was home studying for his ATLS course tomorrow.
Visited our first Living Nativity with Shay and Molly and the Bruneski family. A mule, two goats and a moody turkey were the highlights. In addition the kids were able to dress up and participate in the telling of the Christmas story. All the kids, minus a shy little Molly and Isaac, dressed up as angels.
Drove around the city admiring the houses with the best lights (a list was printed in the paper yesterday), this time with Molly and Shay.
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| Moments before Emily broke one of the gingerbread houses but surprisingly confessed to it when I started to accuse Kara. |
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| Charis standing near her favourite. Unfortunately the pics were taken on my phone... |
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| Molly and Shay bravely approaching the turkey who later turned on Molly and scared her out of the building! |
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| As close as I was getting to that sharp beak... |
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| Some very friendly goats roamed fee and a mule was penned for petting. |
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| The goat kissing and nibbling on Isaac. |
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| Cade sharing some love. |
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| Moody turkey |
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| Kara "Don't be afraid, I bring you GOOD news of great joy!" She shocked me by reciting the part of the angel almost perfectly..... I swear this kid has the sponge memory of her dad. |
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| Admiring baby Jesus. |
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| Kara was mesmerized by Jesus in the manger. |
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| Emily wanted to be upfront with the microphone when they performed the story. I could hear her singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" over the speakers...so funny. |
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| My favourite shot. |
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| Kara getting "One last peek at Jesus" |
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| Toby dog came for the trip but wasn't allowed in to see the animals. |
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| We love our van! There is always extra passengers! |
Exhausted tonight....To be continued!
